ISS News

For 25 years, ISS has feted the very best design and leadership the superyacht industry has to offer. We are exceptionally proud to have spearheaded the celebration of yacht design and the recognition of industry leaders. Help us celebrate this incredible anniversary! Vessel registration is open. Nominations for Awards of Distinction are underway. Be one of the countless supporters who over the years have enabled ISS's peer-reviewed programs to develop, mature and flourish.

YachtInfo, the perennially popular seminar programme that the ISS delivers in collaboration with partner associations and event organisers around the world, will be found in three separate locations in April. With support from the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference in Singapore, we are presenting two topics within the overall conference programme. Then back in Europe, seminars will be delivered in conjunction with both the MYBA Charter Show in Genoa and at the newly created Antibes Celebrates Yachting event that replaces the Antibes Yacht Show.

The aim of Smart Yachting is to demonstrate that the (super) yachting industry can and does continuously reduce its environmental impact. The SMART Index is being developed by a technical committee based on strident criteria. Similar to the LEED designation for buildings, SMART yachts are the ecological wave of future yacht design and operation

Speaking with One Voice - Associations are Moving in Ever Greater Alignment

With a singular mission to increase the number of people who participate in the Superyachting Lifestyle, the Associations Alliance communications workgroups continue their efforts on cohesive messaging through four models: B2B (Business to Business), B2C (Business to Clients), B2G (Business to Government), and B2M (Business to Media).

In a unanimous vote during its Annual Miami Board Meeting, the ISS Board of Directors appointed Costas Charalambous of GMC to fill a two-of-three year term vacancy. Per its Bylaws, any Board vacancy is filled by the balance of the remaining Members of the Board. Charalambous has been a long time ISS member, was recently on the 2015 Ballot and has positioned GMC as a perennial ISS Sponsor, mostly notably of its Annual Membership Mixer during METS.

For almost 40 years, Robb Report has celebrated the lifestyle passions and luxury products that shape the personal and business lives of the ultra-affluent. With insightful, eloquent writing and rich photography, Robb Report is unmatched at capturing the essence of a life well lived by today's connoisseurs. Robb Report only features the world's finest brands, products, and services: the ideal environment for Superyachts to showcase their own storied brands and reach an ultra-affluent audience of potential yacht buyers.

The ISS (International Superyacht Society) is pleased to announce its 1st Annual Superyacht Charity Ball with proceeds to benefit Sail4Cancer. Being held at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton Football Club, arrival is scheduled from 18:30 with carriages at 01:00. Black tie is preferred and a live band (supported by a DJ) will round out a great evening of ‘dining, wining and dancing’. Tickets are £55 each, £400 for a table of eight. There are sponsorship opportunities; already Awlgrip, Döhle and Sunsail have come aboard.

The ISS (International Superyacht Society) is pleased to announce that in a unanimous vote during its Annual Miami Board Meeting, the ISS Board of Directors appointed Costas Charalambous of GMC to fill a two-of-three year term vacancy. Per its Bylaws, any Board vacancy is filled by the balance of the remaining Member.

Bransom Bean, Dorien Bilterijst, Diane Byrne, Sylke auf dem Graben, Simon Harvey, Matthew Johnson, Michael Moore and John Venables have been elected to the ISS Board for a three-year term. Representing Europe and America equally, Australia and the Pacific Rim are back on the board thanks to Johnson's success run. Voting is a privilege of ISS membership; be sure you're current for next year.

Robert Silvani of Morgan Stanley is presenting the 2nd Annual Forum discussing the future growth of superyachts in Palm Beach County, this year with a focus on Italian Design. Last year’s program, focused on Italian Builders, was a huge success. ISS is delighted to provide an executive point of view of the global market and to help craft the event.

It's great when we can harness the energies of our members and industry colleagues to make a difference outside our daily work routine and this April the ISS is stepping up for a very worthy cause. Sail4Cancer specialises in delivering respite care to families burdened with serious and often terminal cancer by taking the whole family sailing for a day. A few minutes on http://www.sail4cancer.org/ shows what a benefit this is and for the past two years the ISS Regatta has had Sail4Cancer as our official charity.

ISS is delighted to welcome Matthew Johnson to the Board. Voted in for the 2015-2018 term, Matthew is Managing Director of Muir Engineering Group Pty Ltd. He brings the voice of Down Under to the ISS Board and as Vice President of AIMEX & Superyacht Australia, his insight is prized for ISS’s Strategic Objectives and as part of the Association Alliance.

Tahiti Tourisme is dedicated to promote the Islands of Tahiti around the world. As a Platinum Sponsor of the ISS’s 24th Annual Gala in October 2014, Tahiti Tourisme proudly brought their 118 islands to the most prestigious audience representing the global large yacht world. A cornerstone of their expanding strategy to attract superyachts to their sensational destination, a close collaboration has taken root between us both.

The ISS (International Superyacht Society) announces its 2015-2018 Board of Directors and Past Presidents Council. For the current year and based on a democratic voting system, ISS members have awarded eight Board positions for three years for the 2015-2018 term.

The 2015 ISS Board of Directors election is fully underway; each year, one third of the 24 seats are open. Since its inception in 1989, ISS has honored its original mandate: that ISS members determine who and how the organization operates. If you are a member and haven't voted, we'll send you the ballot. If you're not a member, join today.

Networking. Working. Educating. Sailing. All part of ISS's 2015 Calendar of Events. Join us around the globe for our growing number of activities ranging from YachtInfo in Asia, Europe and America to sailing on the Solent in June and all our Yacht Show events from Member Mixers to the Annual Gala, this year celebrating 25 Years recognizing Design and Leadership excellence.

Doing the next right thing is the right thing to do. On behalf of our business, ISS has convened industry leadership, drafted a guiding set of Principles and offers an easy opportunity to read the final Ethics Presentation and sign yourself up. Go to the ISS website "to Read Business Principles" and click "Sign Me Up".

With the lion's share of funding for ISS programs coming from sponsorship-which complements our growing membership-ISS works closely with every sponsor to ensure exceptional ROI. The great global superyacht brands are perennial supporters while new sponsors help us create an expanding number of activities and awards.

Jones Boat Yard, Inc. is the precedent-setting spark that's helped ISS's membership start 2015 with a bang. Signing on as a 2-year corporate member, the yard is close to celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2017. More, they won ISS's Best Refit of the Year in 2014 for their work on the 60m Abeking & Rasmussen M/V DREAM.

Your Vote is Your Voice - ISS membership has many benefits. To help steer the strategic direction ISS takes, nominate an industry peer—or yourself—for the ISS Board of Directors. Nominations are open until 20 December 2014. Send a 150-word biography and a high resolution photo to Amy Halsted, amyhalsted@gmail.com. Then be sure to vote. The official 2015 ISS Board Election commences 2 January 2015 with the newly constituted board meeting during Miami in February.... To read more click ISS Board of Directors Election.pdf

Growing the Market - Comprised of more than one hundred presidents and executive directors, the Associations Alliance has been convening for the last several years and now hones in on growing the market to find new clients and keep the ones we already have. Read how the B2C, B2G, B2M and B2B workgroups are distilling the right message for the right audience.... To read more click Associations Alliance Communications Project Update .pdf

YachtInfo Spans the Globe - YachtInfo—ISS’s educational programme held in collaboration with global/regional associations—enjoyed a successful FLIBS and is actively planning events in the Med and Asia for 2015. A full summary of the five FLIBS seminars is posted on our site.... To read more click YachtInfo FLIBS 2014 and Beyond.pdf

YARE 2015 Offers Discounts to ISS Members - Want to go to Tuscany? ISS has worked with YARE’s organizers to secure a 10% discount on attending and discounts on exhibitor and sponsorship packages. A broad reaching affair, YARE is hosted by Seatec in Viareggio, Italy from February 2-6, 2015. We might even orchestrate a multi-company stand if you’re interested.... To read more click YARE 2015 Offers Discounts to ISS Members.pdf

Board Member Profile: Roberta Sabatini - Voted onto the ISS Board of Directors late last year, Roberta Sabatini is one of the superyacht industry’s leading marketers and handles all image and communications for CRN Shipyard.... To read more clickBoard Member Profile-Roberta Sabatini CRN.pdf

Spotlight on Sponsorship: Viking Crew Management - As a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization, ISS depends on sponsorship and membership for its operations. Viking Crew Management, steadfast in their commitment to the industries they serve, is a Gold Platinum ISS sponsor, translated as digging deeply to support both ISS initiatives (Gold) and the Annual Monaco Membership Mixer at the Platinum title level. You know them for superyachts but did you know they equally manage cruise ships?.... To read more click Spotlight on Sponsorship-Viking Crew Management.pdf

The International Superyacht Society (ISS) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2015 Officers and Executive Committee with an effective start date of 1 January. Officers include the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary who are distinguished superyacht industry leaders elected by the organization’s Board of Directors and who will serve a one-year term at which time they may be re-elected to the same post for not more than three consecutive years.

Awards of Distinction - Recognizing the programs, products and people that propel the superyacht industry to enhanced excellence, this year’s winners include well known names and brand new innovative ideas. Read the recap of the stand out nominees and the well-deserving honorees. To read more click Awards of Distinction.pdf

Presidents’ Award - Only three Presidents’ Awards have ever been presented. This year’s recipient, the dashing Joe Purtell, has worked tirelessly chairing the yacht design awards while working full time with Interlux. We wish him well in his retirement while demanding he ride back in to the Gala at least every other year. To read more clickPresident's Award Joe Purtell.pdf

Who Manages ISS? - To wrap our arms around the management of a global association that represents every aspect of designing, building and enjoying really big boats, ISS has refined the task. Meet the incoming ISS Executive Committee who serves at the pleasure of the 24 member board. To read more clickNew ISS Executive Committee.pdf

METS Membership Mixer - NEW LOCATION!! Great annual gig again sponsored by GMC. The ISS Membership Mixer is the best networking event for METS superyacht attendees. Period. To read more click METS Membership Mixer.pdf